Our products

Product category: PLA (polylactic acid, Polymilchsäure)

PLA polymers

Neat PLA resin and compounds

We offer a range of specially developed high performance PLA polymer resins, which are compliant with the most relevant regulations and requirements related to bioplastics (for all document downloads on PLA, please click here):

Bioplastics

Bioplastics for a new generation

For the plastics industry, Corbion Purac offers lactides and PLA resins for general purpose and high performance bioplastics. Additionally, Corbion is developing biobased FDCA for high performance PEF (Polyethylene Furanoate) resin. PEF can, for example, be used for bottle and film applications due to its excellent barrier properties. Furthermore, through our Succinity joint venture with BASF, we are producing and selling biobased succinic acid for PBS.

PLA (Poly Lactic Acid)

Make the switch to bioplastics with Corbion Purac. Make the switch to PLA based on our high quality, biobased lactides.

PLA is a biobased plastic with a low carbon footprint currently used in packaging and food serviceware, and is increasingly becoming the material of choice for more demanding applications in automotive, electronics and textiles.

Now, thanks to our latest developments in lactide technology, PLA based on our high quality lactides delivers even better heat resistance. High heat PLA is proven to withstand temperatures of 100 - 140°C. This allows manufacturers and brandowners to use biobased PLA as a replacement for polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) in more demanding applications.

PLA: Getting up to speed

Corbion Purac is the global leader in lactic acid production and fermentation technology. We convert our lactic acid into lactide monomers which are then polymerized into PLA thermoplastic resin. The PLA resin is supplied to compounders and converters who produce everything from packaging products to automotive components.

With global production of bioplastics forecast to quadruple by 2017, it represents a major opportunity for converters and brandowners alike to meet the evolving requirements of consumers around the world for more sustainable products.

At Corbion Purac, we can help you get there faster - thanks to 85 years of fermentation expertise; a global manufacturing footprint and associated partner network; and all supported by an outstanding in-house team of experts who will work with you to develop your PLA applications.

Company news

Today Corbion releases its whitepaper on feedstock sourcing for bioplastics. The paper outlines Corbion's position on feedstock selection, as well as covering issues such as land use, feedstock efficiency and food security. In conclusion, Corbion states that the concerns of using biobased feedstocks for plastics can be successfully identified and managed, and that the many benefits of these biobased, renewable feedstocks far outweigh their challenges. The paper has been made available for free download at www.corbion.com/feedstocks.

François de Bie, Senior Marketing Director Bioplastics at Corbion, is pleased with the response on the paper so far: "We presented the paper last month at our workshop on alternative feedstocks for PLA. This audience of already highly informed and relevant people from some 70 companies throughout the value chain, provided the perfect platform from which to launch the whitepaper. Many people in this group were already active in the bioplastics field, which is why they were granted the preview of our findings before spreading to the wider industry".

Diana Visser, Sustainability Director at Corbion states: "The whitepaper clearly defines Corbion's position on a number of feedstock-related issues, increasing transparency throughout the value chain on which and how we should best utilize valuable agricultural resources".

The position paper includes an introduction to renewable raw materials for bioplastics production, followed by chapters on: sugar as today's most sustainable feedstock, sustainable agricultural practices for growing feedstocks, GMO-free feedstocks, land used for bioplastics does not compete with food and alternative feedstocks for bioplastics. The whitepaper concludes with the summarized benefits of using biobased plastics in consumer goods.

Corbion's whitepaper 'Sustainable Sourcing of Feedstocks for Bioplastics' is available digitally for download atwww.corbion.com/feedstocks. Alternatively, contact bioplastics@corbion.com to request a copy.

Today Corbion, Global Bio-Polymers and Maxrich announce their collaboration on the development of a biodegradable root growth container to improve the agricultural efficiency and environmental performance of rubber tree plantations. The container is intended to bring threefold benefits to the Thai rubber industry; encourage young rubber trees to root more effectively to increase tree longevity, improve survival yield rates during outplanting, and offer a more environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional, non-biodegradable plastic containers.

Natural rubber is a key agricultural product in Thailand. In 2012, natural rubber was the second economic contributor to the agricultural economy, second only to rice[i]. In 2015, Thailand produced around 4.5 million Tonnes of natural rubber[ii]. Every year 90 million new rubber trees are planted in Thailand alone[iii].

Currently, rubber trees are planted in nurseries, above ground, in polyethylene (PE) film bags or polypropylene (PP) cones. These containers ensure that the roots grow in a contained vessel, enabling the farmer to transport and plant them easily. Once the mature trees are outplanted, the cutting off of the bag or cone can damage the root system and result in yield loss of the final tree crop, at a cost of THB 90 / EUR 2.30 per lost tree[iv].

The PE bags (or parts thereof) can end up left on the land or blown away - resulting in litter, polluting the local environment and endangering local wildlife. Currently, the bag container is favored over the cone due to the ease with which it can be cut off. However, the cone promotes better directional growth of the roots and can promote a longer tree life of around 5 years, resulting in economic value of USD 100 per extra year of successful growth[v]. The cone, however, is more difficult to remove at time of outplanting and results in yield loss due to root damage during this step.

The bioplastic container project is intended to provide an alternative to the existing options of PE bag / PP cone. A bioplastic cone would offer the benefits of directed root growth (promoting longer tree life and increasing economic value per tree) combined with biodegradability at end of life (no need to cut off the container, thus reducing the current root damage yield loss created during container removal when outplanting). The biodegradable containers would eliminate the current littering of non-biodegradable plastics currently caused by the existing PE bag solution.

The bioplastic cone will be based on Corbion Purac's Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) along with other biopolymers. The bioplastic compound will be specially developed to match the climatic conditions and needs of both the nursery and the plantation, in various geographical locations in Thailand. The PLA is made from sugarcane grown locally in Thailand, making this a truly circular and local-for-local application.

Corbion, who is on track to build a 75 kTpa PLA plant in Thailand, and Global Bio-Polymers will be jointly developing the custom compounds for the project, whereas Maxrich will produce the containers. Khun Nopadol of Maxrich is enthusiastic about the development: "This project shows great promise for significant change to rubber plantation techniques. The performance benefits combined with the sustainability improvements are a real game-changer for local farmers here in Thailand, while supporting environmental protection of our country. We envision that when successful, this same concept could be applied to other economic crops, fruit orchards, teaks, etc."

Corbion is supporting the project with technical expertise on the bioplastic material and cone production. Kun Chalermkiatkul, Business Development PLA at Corbion Purac Thailand, is proud to be a part of the project: "PLA bioplastics are a perfect material for the rubber tree root protection containers, given their biodegradability and performance. The fact that they are also made from feedstocks grown here in Thailand - made into bioplastic monomers via our 75kT lactide facility here in Rayong - makes the project even more interesting. Corbion is proud to promote the circular, biobased economy in Thailand in this way".

Stefan Barot, Bioplastics Director Asia Pacific for Corbion: "Respecting the natural cycle of rubber trees, we will need time for development and testing: to adapt and tailor the bioplastic compound to local conditions and ensure an optimal combination of performance and environmental benefits in the final part. It is early days yet, though initial trials have gleaned positive results and we are excited to move this application forward as fast as nature allows us to".

About us

Company details

Corbion in bioplastics

For the plastics industry, Corbion Purac offers lactides and PLA resins for general purpose and high performance bioplastics. PLA (Poly Lactic Acid) is a biobased plastic with a low carbon footprint and is used in packaging, disposables, fibers, electronics and automotive markets. Additionally, Corbion is developing 100% biobased FDCA for high performance PEF (Polyethylene Furanoate) resin. PEF can, for example, be used for bottle and film applications due to its excellent barrier properties.

About Corbion

Corbion is the global market leader in lactic acid, lactic acid derivatives and lactides, and a leading company in emulsifiers, functional enzyme blends, minerals and vitamins. The company delivers high performance biobased products made from renewable resources and applied in global markets such as bakery, meat, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, home and personal care, packaging, automotive, coatings and coating resins. Corbion operates 11 production plants, in the USA, the Netherlands, Spain, Brazil and Thailand, and markets its products through a worldwide network of sales offices and distributors. In 2015, Corbion generated annual sales of € 918.3 million and had a workforce of 1,673 employees. Corbion is listed on NYSE Euronext Amsterdam.